USA > Ohio > Fairfield County > A Biographical record of Fairfield County, Ohio, illustrated > Part 26
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man. a pronounced Democratic paper of the capital city, Colonel Medary having been at one time governor of Minnesota. The Col- onel was very much pleased with the appear- ance of the boy and gave him a position as an apprentice in the printing office. Mr. Breslin closely applied himself to the task of mastering the business in every department and detail. and while his days were devoted to work his evening's were largely given to study. For six years he remained in the office. When he was eighteen years of age Colonel Medary received a letter from some of the leading citizens of Tiffin, Ohio, ask- ing him if he knew of a man suitable to be- come the editor of a Democratic newspaper in that city. and Colonel Medary recommend- ed John Breslin for the position. Accord- ingly he took the stage from Columbus for that place and on the 6th of May, 1842, published the first number of the Seneca AAdvertiser, a paper which advocated the Jacksonian Democratic principles and is still in existence. having celebrated its sixtieth anniversary May 6, 1902. In its columns we find a quotation from the editorial Mr. Breslin wrote, and which appeared in its first issue. He said, "We will endeavor to maintain a courteous but decided opinion in regard to principles we intend to promul- gate," and much more along the same line, showing that even in his youth that idea of right was strongly intrenched. Mr. Breslin remained its editor from 1842 until 1854 and was not long in becoming a recognized factor in public affairs in that part of the state. Well fitted for leadership in public thought and action, he studied closely the questions and issues of the day. not only
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along political lines but concerning every department of life affecting the weal and welfare of the state and nation. In 1848 he was elected to represent Seneca county in the Ohio legislature and served so capably that he was re-elected. That he was one of the most popular and able members of the house is shown by the fact that he was chos- en its speaker. It was an honor which has seldom been conferred in the entire history of the nation, for he was only twenty-five years of age when chosen for that important position. He showed a comprehensive knowl- edge of parliamentary law, and was strictly impartial and fair in his rulings, never al- lowing personal bias or opinions in any way to influence his actions or judgment as the ruling member of the assembly. In 1854 he was elected state treasurer of Ohio for one term and his fidelity to duty in his new position won for his additional laurels.
It was while holding the position of state treasurer that Hon. John G. Breslin was united in marriage to Anna C. Borland, a daughter of Charles and Cynthia ( Hart) Borland. Her father was born in Harrison- burg, Rockingham county, Virginia, May 16, 1808, and in 1816 accompanied his par- ents to Franklin county, Ohio, where he at- tended school. He learned the printer's trade under the direction of Colonel Olm- stead, of Columbus, and followed that busi- ness continuously in the capital city until 1839, when he became the editor of the Richland Whig, at Mansfield, Ohio. While thus engaged in journalistic work he began the reading of law and later was admitted to the bar, whereupon he became an active practitioner. He won distinction owing to
his strong mentality, his inductive mind, his logical reasoning and forceful argument. He possessed rare gifts of oratory and was widely known as a most forceful, entertain- ing and effective speaker. He won many celebrated cases and his devotion to his cli- ents' interests was proverbial. He was a man of marked literary tastes and scholarly attainments and his broad knowledge added to his oratorical ability enabled him to hold an audience spell-bound for hours and he probably never addressed any public gather- ing when many expressions of regret were not heard because he had concluded his re- marks. During the campaign he was a most convincing, ek quent and entertaining speak- er. and his strong reasoning. his wit and his logic carried conviction to the minds of many of his hearers. For some years he practiced law at the Lancaster bar, but spent his last years in retirement, his death oc- curring on the 13th of January. 1892, in the home of his daughter, Mrs. Breslin, who was then living on High street. In his fam- ily were five children who are still living. the second daughter, Sarah, making her home with her sister. Mrs. Breslin. The others are Mrs. Nevin, of Dayton, Ohio: C. W., who is a civil engineer residing in Colum- bus: and W. S., a merchant of Cincinnati. He held the position of Indian agent under President Taylor, filling the position with marked distinction.
Mrs. Breslin pursued her education in the private schools of Lancaster and at St. Mary's Convent, at Somerset, Ohio, and while visiting in Columbus she formed the acquaintance of Mr. Breslin, who sought her hand in marriage. In 1871 they re-
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moved to Huntington, West Virginia, where Mr. Breslin accepted the position of general ticket agent for the Chesapeake & Ohio Rail- way Company, serving in that capacity un- til his death, and after locating there he was always known by the title of General Bres- lin. He was prominently connected with several other railroad corporations and im- portant enterprises, and was equally suc- cessful in business life as in politi- cal circles. For a year and a half he resided in Lancaster, and after his death his widow again took up her abode in the state of her nativity. Mr. Breslin was called to his final rest February 22, 1889, and his remains were interred in Tiffin, Ohio. A train on the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway was trimmed in crepe and a special car car- ried his remains to Tiffin, where the funeral services were in charge of the Masonic fra- ternity, with which he had been connected. He was a friend of the poor and needy ; a man of broad, humanitarian principles and of keen outlook into life, its possibilities, its duties and its obligations. That he was a man of high character, superior worth and
marked capability is shown by the fact that he was an intimate friend of Chief Justice Chase, Chief Justice Waite, Ex-President Hayes, Hon. Thomas Corwin, Hon. Thomas Ewing, Senator Sherman and other cele- brated men of Ohio, who have won national fame. In his private life he was distin- guished by all that marks the true gentle- man. His was a noble character: one that subordinated personal ambition to public good and sought rather the benefit of others than the aggrandizement of self. Endowed by nature with high intellectual qualities, to which were added the discipline and em- bellishments of culture, his was a most at- tractive personality. In his life-time the peo- ple of his state, recognizing his merit, re- joiced in his advancement and in the honors to which he attained and since his death they have cherished his memory.
Mrs. Breslin is now making her home in Lancaster, and occupies a beautiful resi- dence at No. 126 East Chestnut street. She is most highly esteemed by a large circle of friends, many of whom have known her from her childhood days.
HOWARD A. BROWN, M. D.
Dr. Howard A. Brown has for twenty- seven years engaged in the practice of medi- cine in Carroll and throughout this period has enjoyed the confidence and good will of the public and has received a liberal patron-
age in the line of his chosen vocation. He was born March 15, 1854, in Sugar Grove, Fairfield county, a son of Dr. Robert H. and Lucinda (AArmstrong) Brown. The fa- ther was also a native of this state, having
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been born in Perry county, and was a phy- sician. In 18.47 and 1848 he attended lec- tures at what is now the Starling Medical College of Columbus but at that time was called the Willoughby Medical College. For many years he engaged in practice at Sugar Grove with excellent success and there died in November, 1860, at the age of forty years, leaving a widow and four children. Emma J., the eldest, is the wife of James H. Foster, a veteran of the Civil war, who now; resides in Sugar Grove. Robert F., a farmer, served as auditor of Fairfield coun- ty and is now filling the position of deputy auditor. Prudence .A. is the wife of H. M. Jackson of Lancaster. The fourth member of the family is the Doctor, whose name in- troduces this review. The mother of these children was a daughter of John and Pru- dence (Sweeny) Armstrong, the former a native of Pennsylvania and a son of John Armstrong, who came to this country from England in colonial days. The Armstrong family trace their ancestry back to the carly wars of England, at which time the name was Fairchild, and according to tradition it was changed in the following manner. Dur- ing a battle the King became unhorsed and a Fairchild lifted him up and seated him on his own horse, for which service the King changed the name to Armstrong. Little is known of John Armstrong, the progenitor of the family in America, save that he set- tled in Pennsylvania. His son, John, Jr., was one of the "forty-niners" who went to California during the gold excitement in that state. He made his home in Roseville. Muskingum county, Ohio, where he engaged in the pottery business, and there died.
was in that county that his daughter. Mrs. Brown, was born. After the death of her first husband she became the wife of Jesse Stukey, a resident farmer of Sugar Grove. and unto them was born one son, John J. Stukey, who is engaged in the practice of dentistry in Lancaster.
.At the usual age Dr. Brown, of this re- view. began his education in the district schools and after acquiring a good knowl- edge of the literary branches of learning he began preparation for the profession which he wished to make his life work by enter- ing the office of Dr. D. N. Kinsman, of Co- lumbus, with whom he studied one year. He then entered the Starling Medical Col- lege, where he completed a regular course and was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1875. During this period he remained in the office of Dr. Kinsman. For a few months he engaged in practice at his old home and then came to Carroll, where he has successfully followed his profession for twenty-seven years. He was not long in demonstrating his ability to successfully cope with disease and from the beginning he has enjoyed a good practice, his skill and ability ranking him among the foremost members of the profession in this county. He not only has a liberal patronage in Car- roll but is frequently called to distant places throughout the state in consultaion over critical cases.
On the 16th of December. 1875. Dr. Brown was united in marriage to Emma E .. daughter of Ephraim Ackers, who was elected to the position of auditor of Fairfield county but died before the expiration of his term of office. Unto the Doctor and his
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wife have been born two sons but Robert H. died at the age of eight years. Archie Ackers Brown, born December 31, 1877, is now being carefully educated and it is hoped that he will eventually be the third Dr. Brown of Fairfield county.
Our subject has spent his entire life in this county and wherever he is known is liked and is held in the highest regard. Where he is best known as a physician he sustains an enviable reputation not only be- cause of his comprehensive knowledge but
of his close adherence to the strict profes- sional ethics. His fellow townsmen enter- tain for him warm esteem and the circle of his friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances. The Doctor is examiner for the following life insurance companies : Mutual Life of New York; Pennsylvania Mutual; John Hancock; Fi- clelity; Union Central and Modern Wood- men. He was also representative to the grand lodges of Masons and Knights of Pythias of Ohio.
ROBINSON P. WHILEY.
Robinson P. Whiley is engaged in farm- ing and stock raising in Fairfield county, his home being in Lancaster. He was born in this city on the 18th of May, 1870, his par- ents being Thomas B. and Sarah Jane (Peters) Whiley. His father was a native of Lincolnshire, England, born in 1832, and on emigrating to the United States he en- gaged in merchandising in Greenfield. Ohio. In July. 1860, he removed to Lan- caster, where with his brother Samuel Whiley he opened a hardware store. The firm of Whiley Brothers continued in opera- tion for a number of years but at length the business was sold and the brothers, Thomas B., Samuel, and Fred C. Whiley organized the Eagle Machine Company in 1870, the last named becoming president. while Sam- tiel was secretary. The new enterprise was
prosperous from the beginning and the ef- forts of the father of our subject contrib- uted not a little to its result. He continued his connection with the company until his death, which occurred in 1884. He was a practical business man, an excellent finan- cier and his well directed efforts were crowned with a high measure of success which he justly merited. His name was synonymous with integrity and he was re- spected for his strong force of character and genuine worth. He had a host of warm friends which was continually augmented as the circle of his acquaintance was ex- tend. Thomas B. Whiley was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Jane Peters of Fair- field county. The lady possessed many womanly qualities. Her father, Robinson J. Peters, born in Maryland in 1797, was
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an early settler in Fairfield county and a ing assisted by his mother and brother and much respected citizen. He married Miss attending school in the meantime. Elizabeth Gallagher in 1823. and among Hle still has charge of the home property. a part of which is within the corporate lim- its of Lancaster. They own another farm of one hundred acres which is pleasantly located a mile west of Lancaster. They are engaged in feeding hogs and cattle for ex- port. Their places are supplied with sub- stantial barns and sheds, feed lots, racks and all necessary equipments for carrying on the business. their children was Mrs. Whiley, who still survives her husband and is living at the old home place. The residence is a substantial brick structure on the Rosebank addition in the western part of Lancaster and there amid many friends Mrs. Whiley is spending the evening of life. She was born on a farm in AAmanda township, Fairfield county, pur- . sued her education in Granville College. Granville, Ohio, and in early life engaged in teaching for a number of years. On the 23rd of February, 1869. she became the wife of Thomas B. Whiley, and is the mother of two sons: Thomas B. and Robinson P.
The latter began his education in the public schools of Lancaster and afterward was graduated from the high schools. He was reared upon the home farm, where he was born and early trained to habits of in- dustry. He was only fourteen years of age at the time of his father's death but he at once began the work of managing the farm comprising sixty acres of choice land, be-
Robinson P. Whiley was married in 1896 to Miss Anna D. Embich of Lancaster, a daughter of William C. Embich, one of the old and most highly respected citizens who was for a number of years during the early part of his life a leading shoe mer- chant of this place. The young couple en- joy the warin regard of many friends and the hospitality of a large number of Lan- caster's best homes is extended to them. Mr. Whiley is a progressive, wide-awake young business man and in his farming and and stock feeding enterprises is meeting with creditable and well merited success.
ZACHARY T. STURGEON.
This portion of Ohio is famous for the fine stock raised upon its farms and one of the well known dealers and breeders of fine horses is Zachary Taylor Sturgeon, of Lan- caster, whose business has been a profitable one and whose sales have been extensive.
He was born in this county in December. 1848, and represents one of the oklest and most honored pioneer families in this portion of the state, his father, Thomas Sturgeon. having been born in the village of Lancas- ter on the 17th of October, 1808. The
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grandfather was Timothy Sturgeon, who was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsyl- vania, born about 1780. He spent the years of his childhood and youth in the state of his nativity, and in 1803 emigrated west- ward with his family, taking up his abode in a little Ohio village, which has since be- come the prosperous and thriving county seat of Farifield county. Pioneer condi- tions surrounded him. A greater part of the land was still in possession of the gov- ernment and was covered with tall forest trees. He aided in laying broad and deep the foundation for the present prosperity and development of the county, and the work which he began has since been carried on by those who bear his name.
Amid the wild scenes of the frontier Thomas Sturgeon was reared and many business interests claimed his attention. At different times he was engaged in merchan- dising, in farming and in buying and sell- ing stock and twice took a drove of horses over the plains to California in 1856. He also took a large number of men through to the gold fields of California. He was twice married, his first union being with Margaret Ewing, of Lancaster, and a daughter of David Ewing. By this marriage there were two children: Maria, the wife of Henry Weakly, of Lancaster; and Ellen, who be- came Mrs. Doty and died in Atlanta, Georgia, in February, 1882. After the death of his first wife Mr. Sturgeon was again married, in 1845, his second union being with Miss Matilda Peebles, of Lancaster, who was born in Cumberland county, Penn- sylvania, in April, 1825. and is a daughter of Thomas and Jane (Kennedy) Peebles. She
was in her eleventh year when she came to Lancaster with her mother, who died here in 1856. Unto Thomas and Matilda Stur- geon were born nine children, but Charlie, the eldest, died on the 17th of May, 1874. The others are Zachary T., of this review; Margaret J., the wife of C. J. McCleary; Thomas, of Columbus ; Lilla, who has been twice married and is now the widow of Dr. llare; Martha Mary, who is the wife of Frank Smith, of Taylor, Texas ; Samuel, a farmer living in Lancaster; Rose, the wife of Rudolph Rising, a prominent clothing merchant of Lancaster ; and Maude, the wife of Edward H. Hall, who is a traveling salesman. Mrs. Sturgeon, her daughter, Mrs. Hare and her son, Zachary T., of this review, occupy the oldl family residence, which is a large substantial one, built in 1856. It is in a good state of preservation and is surrounded by a beautiful and well kept lawn. Mrs. Sturgeon is still a well preserved woman in possession of all her faculties, and enjoys the high regard of her many friends.
In the public schools of Lancaster Z. T. Sturgeon pursued his primary education, after which he went to Poughkeepsie, New York, where he took a course at Eastman Commercial College. After returning to Lancaster he was connected with mercantile interests for sixteen years. Later he de- voted his time and attention to storing ice, which he retailed through summer months, being thus engaged until 1896, when he turned his attention to farming and to breed- ing and selling fine horses. He makes a specialty of trotters, which he develops for speed, and has been the owner of some of
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the finest horses in Fairfield county. hav- ing sold one. Walter Smith, for the sum of fourteen hundred dollars. He also owns a half-brother of this horse, which is of the George Wilkes strain. Recently he has erected a fine horse barn on the modern plan. He has some fine stock, including some high
bred stallions. Mr. Sturgeon takes great pride in not only producing fine horses, but in developing speed, and can be seen driv- ing behind some splendid specimens of the noble steed. He is regarded as a most ex- cellent judge of horses and this is an im- portant element in his success.
JOHN FRICKER.
John Fricker, whose life span has cov- a very industrious and energetic life, and be- ered eighty years, is one of the native sons of Fairfield county, his memory forming a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present. He has watched with unabated interest the progress and development of the county as it has emerged from pioneer conditions, taking on all the improvements and accessories of civilization as manifest in industrial. com- mercial and professional interests. lle has been a worthy representative of agricultural pursuits and is now entitled to a well earned rest.
Mr. Fricker was born in the township of Berne, March 24, 1822, and is a son of John and Margaret ( Neibing ) Fricker. Ilis father was a native of Switzerland and crossed the Atlantic to the United States early in the nineteenth century. He made his way at once to Ohio, locating in Fair- field county where he spent his remaining days, his death occurring in 1841, when he was nearly sixty-five years of age. lle lived
came a prosperous and well-to-do man. In all of his dealings he was upright and hon- orable and he left to his family an untar- nished name as well as the material reward of his labors. Throughout his entire life he carried on general farming. He held mem- bership in the Reformed church, and its principles permeated his actions. llis wife was a native of Bavaria. They were mar- ried in Fairfield county. Mrs. Fricker died in 1851, at the age of sixty-three years. Of three children, the subject of this review is the only one now living.
More than sixty years have passed since John Fricker located upon the farm, which is yet his home to make it his permanent abode. He resided in Berne township until he was eight years of age, when his parents removed to Hocking township, settling upon the farm which is now his property. In the common schools of this locality he ac- quired his education, pursuing his studies through the winter months, while in the
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stimmer season he aided in the work of plowing, planting and harvesting. He also engaged in teaching school in Hocking township in early life, and is a man of more than average intelligence and education. By reading, experience and observation he has kept well informed on all questions of gen- eral interest of the day and is able to support his political views by intelligent argument. He voted with the Democracy until 1860. when he joined the ranks of the Republican party and has since been a stalwart advocate of its principles. He has held the offices of school director and township trustee, dis- charging the duties of both offices with promptness and fidelity, yet he has never been a politician in the sense of office seck- ing.
The year 1843 witnessed the marriage of Mr. Fricker and Miss Isabelle Feiste, who was born in Baden, Germany, and when quite young came to the United States. Her death occurred May 9, 1879, when she was in her fifty-seventh year, at the home resi- dence in Hocking township, and many friends mourned her loss, for she possessed excellent qualities of heart and mind that
endeared her to all who knew her. By her marriage she had become the mother of eleven children, of whom three are yet liv- ing. John S., who is a blacksmith and re- sides in Pleasantville, Fairfield county, mar- ried a Miss Bowen and has eight children. Mary is the wife of Christ Kinsler, a resi- dent farmer of Hocking township, and they have seven children. Elizabeth is the wife of Jacob T. Darling, who is living on a por- tion of the old home farm. They have four children, two sons and two daughters.
Mr. Fricker belongs to the German Lutheran church and his life has ever been passed in consistent harmony with its teach- ings and principles. His lias indeed been an honorable career in which he has fully met all the obligations of life and the duties de- volving upon him. In business he is straighforward and reliable, in citizenship loyal, and at all times he has been a faithful friend and devoted husband and father. His years rest lightly upon him and his friend- ship is enjoyed by young and old, rich and poor, while throughout the community he is held in the highest esteem by all with whom he has been brought in contact.
JOHN W. REYNOLDS.
John W. Reynolds, one of the early set- tlers and highly respected citizens of Fair- field county, now resides in Hocking town- ship. His birth occurred in Madison town- ship near Clearport on the 19th of October,
1835. He is a son of William and Mary .Ann ( Hedges) Reynolds, and the family is an old and prominent one in this portion of the state. His father was born in Madison township and was a son of Richard Rey-
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nolds, whose birth occurred in the state of Delaware. . At a very early epoch in the history of the state of Ohio, however, he emigrated westward and took up his abode in this county. He died in early manhood. when his children were quite small. Will- iam Reynolds, the father of our subject, was a witness of much of the improvement and development of this portion of the state. He visited Lancaster before there was a railroad there or even a pike had been com- pleted in the county. Farming was his chief occupation through life, and he followed that pursuit in Fairfield county for a nun- ber of years and subsequently removed to Hocking township, where he made his home until his death. There he also devoted his energies to the tilling of the soil, and his labors resulted in securing large crops. He died in 1863 on the fifty-first anniversary of his birth. His political support was given the Whig party in his early life, and on its dissolution he joined the ranks of the new Republican party, which he always endorsed by his ballot, but he never sought political office as a result for public fealty. His Christian faith was indicated by his member- ship in the Methodist church, and he took an active part in its work, earnestly striving to promote the cause of the denomination. His wife was born in Fairfield county and was a daughter of Caleb and Elizabeth Hedges. Her father was one of the old and honored settlers in Fairfield county, and lived and died upon the family homestead. Mrs. Mary Ann Reynolds still survives her husband, and is now residing with one of her sons in Delaware county, Ohio, at the
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